Board approves rezoning from 10‑acre to 5‑acre rural minimum amid Marine Corps Air Station concern

YUMA — The Yuma County Board of Supervisors on Monday approved rezoning case 24-20, rezoning a 15.2‑acre parcel from Rural Area (10‑acre minimum) to Rural Area (5‑acre minimum) to allow a three‑lot division for agricultural and single‑family residential use, subject to performance conditions and a development schedule.

Planning staff said the parcel is in the 70–74 decibel noise zone and that the applicant intends the resulting lots for agricultural use with one single‑family residence per lot. Staff noted two comments in opposition from the Yuma County Airport Authority and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS). "MCAS did submit a letter," staff said; supervisors discussed whether the base's objection legally bound the county.

A supervisor asked whether approving a rezoning near the base risked future encroachment. Planning staff explained that properties used for general agricultural purposes and meeting acreage thresholds are exempt from restrictions that otherwise bar new residential development in noise zones. Board members discussed that the proposed subdivision would keep rural character and that future owners would be subject to existing noise conditions.

After a public hearing with no speakers, a supervisor moved to approve the rezoning subject to the attached performance conditions and schedule for development; another supervisor seconded. The board approved the request. During the roll call or results summary, a speaker noted the commander’s letter and the vote count as "4 to 1." The formal record shows the board approved the rezoning with conditions.

Staff will follow up to ensure conditions in the development schedule are met before land division and development.